NEWCASTLE United executive director Dennis Wise was a no-show for Saturday’s clash between Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Valley.

Former England international Wise was scheduled for a place in the director’s box at the south London venue to run the rule over players who fit into the framework of United’s transfer policy – but Charlton today confirmed he failed to take his place.

It is believed that Wise wanted to take a look at last season’s target Sam Vokes and winger Michael Kightly.

Wolves have made a barnstorming start to the season and are currently at the top of the Championship after the 3-1 win over the Addicks.

Ex-Wimbledon and Chelsea midfielder Wise had a big interest in Vokes last season – and the player netted twice during the victory, but United missed out on the Welsh forward after he quit Bournemouth to join the Molineux club in the summer.

And Newcastle are eyeing a replacement for James Milner on the wing after his sale to Aston Villa.

Twenty-two-year-old Kightly had worked his way up via non-league circles after 25 goals in 55 games for Grays earned him a move to Wolves, where the England Under-21 international has netted 15 goals in 49 appearances, three of them coming this season.

The Chronicle revealed last night that Wise had instead flown to Dubai in the aftermath of Mike Ashley’s decision to sell up in a bid to find takers for the Magpies following the Toon tycoon’s emotional statement on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, despite the uncertainty surrounding Wise and Ashley, Mick McCarthy today issued a “hands off” warning to United, with the player signed from the Cherries making a great start to the season with three goals in four games for Big Mick’s table-toppers.

He said: “I’m not worried because we won’t sell them – why would we want to?

“You’ll find the players we’re talking about want to get promoted with us.

“If someone whispers in their ear that they can get four times as much elsewhere that would be a problem and we would have to deal with that.